The West Fjords
On a map, the West Fjords look like a great claw reaching off the north-western corner of Iceland. It is one of the most spectacular, isolated and unspoilt regions of the country. Tiny fishing communities are nestled under the shade of huge mountains which descend almost right into the sea. The Dynjandi Waterfall on the southern part of the fjords is the largest waterfall in the region, at 100 meters. The West fjords are the most sparsely populated region of the country, aside from the inhabitable central highlands. This is a region for the hearty traveler who wants to discover hidden places; it is a dream for hikers. The three largest bird cliffs in Europe are in the Westfjords, including Latrabjarg, which is the westernmost point of Europe. There are challenging hiking routes through the mountains, which can take up to a week to complete, while the region’s capital of Isafjordur provides a good base for explorations. This is also where many cruise vessels land. Those interested in the occult will enjoy visiting the Sorcery and Witchcraft exhibition in Holmavik. In winter, the region is popular for extreme skiing and snowboarding.
